Since she was a young girl, Britney Bowman dreamed of being a hair stylist. Whenever she saw people, she thought about how she could make them look and feel like their best selves.
She followed this passion through high school and her young adult life, renting booths to do hair. At each salon she visited, there seemed to be something missing, so Bowman took matters into her own hands and took the next step.
After 13 years as a stylist, Bowman opened up her own salon, New You Hair Studio, in Collinsville.
“I loaded my son up one day and said, ‘We’re not coming home until I find a building to open my salon,’ and it just unfolded that day,” she said.
She said her motto is “Don’t be afraid to transform.”
Her hope is that the salon will be a place for her clientele to be unafraid, embrace their styles and transform into who they want to be, Bowman said, adding that she wants to create a place that is more than just a salon.
She envisions it serving as a retreat for her clients, and the freedom of opening her own salon allowed her the ability to cultivate the environment to match the vision.
“I wanted a place that’s more than just you coming to get your hair done. I love having a personal relationship with my clients and servicing the whole family,” she said.
Bowman has big goals for her salon.
In the long term, she is hoping that New You Hair Studio will be a different kind of experience.
“I’m making a little kids’ corner so when single moms or dads need to bring their kids with them to their hair appointments, they don’t have to cancel their appointments because of it.”
She’s looking for an old school beautician feel, where patrons come in and leave their problems at the door without fear of judgement or gossiping.
Bowman also is interested in expanding including unique services in the future, such as art therapy.
Currently, New You Hair Salon offers a wide range of services for the whole family. Among many other services, Bowman offers haircuts, beard trims, facial waxing, hair styling, and hair coloring.
The salon is located at 3957 Virginia Ave in Collinsville and is open 9-6 Monday through Friday, and 8-2 on Saturdays. For appointments, call Bowman at (276) 224-6910.
